What started as a story about security in Bunn High School, brought to me by parents, now has many chapters; each chapter equally important, and a story in, and of itself. I have chosen to first speak to some of the pain and despair too many experience daily in our schools; bullying.For most this brings to mind children picking on one another, and yes that is part of it, but does not even touch the surface of it all.

If I were to fix a single cause for most of the pain in the world it would be difficult finding something more toxic than the condition of how most do nothing, and look away when others are abused.This is a difficult story for me to write, it is very personal. I have lost too many friends and family to suicide. I believe in no small way bullying may have played a part.Have you ever been scared? I mean so scared you wanted to kill yourself? Felt so lost and unwanted nothing mattered anymore? Have you ever sat at your kitchen table holding a child convulsing in tears that so feared going to school they would rather end their life than go?Mommy why do they hate me? A young man holds his wife’s hand saying, “Honey I love you”,” it will be okay”. If only I knew, maybe she would still be with us. Do you remember it being said? Maybe you have said this yourself.If words can awake a community, let these words I write, strike our community’s face boldly, to force open eyes that deny truth and seek blindness.Images, so many images, they flood my mind as I hold back rage.Since that day now many months ago when parents contacted me about an intruder in Bunn High School I have talked to many parents, teachers, officials, and others. They have shared things with me you would not think possible.

Many I feel are indicators of institutionalized bullying, policies to the contrary notwithstanding. Strong words, yes.

Here is just one event I have been told of, and what happened when I acted on it.

While sitting at my computer one day a message came in. “Do you know about the middle school kid that has been saying he is going to kill himself”? At the time I was very involved in something, now somehow I cannot even remember what it was.Listening to the very credible details, immediately, I called law enforcement to report it. I explained in great deal what I had been told. My expectation was it would be treated with seriousness and expedience, it was not.

I was told to call the school intake and report it to them. The school secretary answered the phone. Again I explained; I was put on hold. A brief period lapsed, and the assistance principal answered the phone. Again I explained in great detail. She then told me to contact Patrick Glace, the Franklin County School Public Information Officer.

Becoming angry and frustrated, I was more pointed with the urgency of the matter. I was again told to contact Mr. Glace. Of course I then contacted him. His response to me was an email with a copy of the school policy on bullying.

No one, and I mean no one asked me even one question about the child, where I had received the information, or anything about it. Nor has anyone followed up with me.How outrageous, or better said, pathetic, is this acceptable to you? I was told the child was so bullied that both of his wrist were in braces, and has been suffering the abuse for a very long time.

If your children tell you they are being bullied, please listen to them. Don’t just tell them to report it. In the case I just shared with you, the parents I am told did report it, and it just continued.I have other similar cases I can sight on this. Bullying in our schools is real, and not just something your children and grandchildren are experiencing.

I have looked in the tear filled eyes of a young woman in Franklin County that told me she gave up teaching because she could no longer endure how she and others were, and are, being treated by a principal.

I asked the pointed questions of, have you reported this, if not why not, and many other obvious questions as well.

Others have contacted me about similar conditions. To a person the answers were the same. Fear of reprisal. “We live in a small community, thank you for being willing to help, please do not mention my name”. Some of these people have been teachers for a very long time. Given what I have personally experienced with the Franklin County School system I can tell you they are not paranoid. Many officials do not look kindly upon people asking questions or challenging their position or authority. They will take aggressive action to silence those that do, and retaliate against them. This is more than just my opinion. I have documents that prove the effort to silence people. The next chapter in this story will speak to this.

What I have, and will share was found simply by asking a few questions. If officials say they do not know, it is because they choose not to know.

The purpose of this story is to call attention to what many children and teachers live with every day, and to start a real conversation about it.

If you would like to become part of this please contact me. “Together we are many”

No child should be afraid to go to school, and we need to support our teachers.